York Monkbar Hotel Up for Green Award

A York hotel is hoping its third time lucky after being shortlisted again for a national industry “green” award.

The Best Western Hotel, located on York’s St Maurice’s Road, is one of six establishments – and the only one from the region –vying for the title of the Considerate Hoteliers Hotelier of the Year Award.

Those it is competing against include the Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons, in Oxford, owned and run by one of the world’s best-known chefs, Raymond Blanc.

Last year the Yorkshire hotel – which is currently investing £3million in the addition of 27 twin, double and executive rooms, new function suite and a refurbishment programme of its existing guest and public areas – was a runner up in the awards, which recognise hotels for their work in reducing their carbon footprint.

Over the last few years The Monkbar Hotel, which holds the Green Business Tourism Gold Award, has spearheaded a number of sustainable initiatives, which are led by the in-house “Green Team”.

These include a Waste-2-Water filtration system that converts waste food into water, a focus on guest and supplier co-operation, a year on year increase in recycling, creating a market garden in the hotel’s enclosed courtyard and installing charging points for electric cars.

Monkbar Hotel General Manager Graham Usher said: “It’s superb news being shortlisted again for this title.

“Twelve months ago we were pipped to the post by The Savoy, which, considering it’s one of the most famous hotels in the world, is a remarkable achievement.

“That said, we hope this time it’s going to be third time lucky!”

Mr Usher added: “Over the last few years we have gone to great lengths to improve our environmental credentials, many of which have been staff-led.

“These will now be complemented by our new extension which is being constructed to the latest Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) sustainability specifications.”

The winner of the award will be announced at a ceremony in London on Friday, June 13.